Middle Smithfield Elementary students say 'thanks' for the nature lesson

There's truth to the old saying that "actions speak louder than words." However, when the actions of third-grade students are demonstrated by printed words of appreciation and impressive and creative drawings, those actions become powerfully heartfelt and humbling.

Comment

poconorecord.com

Writer

Posted Jun. 22, 2014 at 12:01 AM

Posted Jun. 22, 2014 at 12:01 AM

» Social News

There's truth to the old saying that "actions speak louder than words." However, when the actions of third-grade students are demonstrated by printed words of appreciation and impressive and creative drawings, those actions become powerfully heartfelt and humbling.

That's exactly how I felt when I received a package of handwritten "thank you" cards from dozens of Middle Smithfield Elementary students.

A few weeks ago, I was asked by Jan Karter, who teaches third grade at Middle Smithfield Elementary in East Stroudsburg Area School District, if I would be willing to present a live amphibian and reptile program to approximately 90 third-grade students. Jan indicated that part of the school's science curriculum is studying animals found in the Poconos. Considering I keep a variety of educational animals on display for this very reason, I was obliged to complement the school's science curriculum.

After I registered at the school's main office, I was instructed to drive around the back to Ms. Karter's classroom, where staff would greet me. As I was carrying aquariums of animals into the classroom, a third-grade student with a gleaming smile eagerly held the door wide open. I knew from her expression that it was going to be a fun presentation.

As with all of my live-animal presentations, a series of topics are discussed, such as: the difference between a reptile and amphibian, cold-blooded versus warm-blooded, the types of reptiles and amphibians that reside in the Poconos, habitat associations, their importance in nature, threats to these animals, venomous and non-venomous snakes, scales and slimy skin, and why the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission has regulations that protects these species.

The main attractions of the day included a turtle, frog, salamander, toad and several snakes. The hardest part of my presentation was watching 90 enthusiastic children contain their emotions during the question-and-answer session before they got to see, touch and hold the animals.

The children were outstanding. Not only were they well-behaved, polite and orderly, but exceedingly well-informed, as they answered all of my questions promptly and correctly. They touched a tipsy turtle, they had a garter snake eating out of their hand, they smiled back at a smirking tree frog, tickled a toad, won a face-to-face staring contest with a copperhead and rattlesnake (kept safely inside a protective aquarium), and wore a 7-foot-long tie around their necks — a black rat snake.

Well-deserved praise is given to Jan Karter and her fellow Middle Smithfield Elementary teachers. You should stand proud, as your students impressed me with their knowledge as much as my animals impressed them.

But what impressed me the most was the dozens of the most amazing thank-you letters from your students. Their actions spoke loudly with words so powerful they will never erase a smile, muffle a joyful laugh or wash away a humbled tear.

With that being said, it is with honor I share examples of their messages:

"Dear Mr. Koval, Thank you for bringing in those amazing animals. When I held the snake it felt so scaly. It shedded on me. I got scared but it was a GREAT experience. I faced my fear!"

"Dear Mr. Koval, Thank you for coming to our third grade team. I thought it was AWESOME!! I LOVED it!! That was cool when you wrapped 'Blackie' around our neck. That's a cool scarf. Come again for fourth grade."

"Dear Mr. Koval, I really liked the animals that you brought in. I really liked 'Blackie' and when we touched the toad. Whatever it was the warts felt weird. "Shelly" the turtle was very nice too. In fact, I really liked all of them."

"Dear Mr. Koval, Thank you for presenting the animals. My favorite one was 'Blackie.' I thought the toad was going to jump on me but it didn't. I also liked the part when the garter snake ate the worm off of a boy's hand. I hope you might come again in fourth grade."

"Dear Mr. Koval, Thank you for coming to our class. Thank you for bringing in all of the animals and letting us hold them. My favorite animal was the turtle and the snake. I like the turtle because it has a hard shell. I liked the snake because it was BIG!"

"Dear Mr. Koval, Thank you for showing us your amazing animals. I liked the black rat snake and how we can hold it. The salamander was cool because that was the first salamander that I saw that was black and yellow. I really liked the turtle and how you talked about it."